Monthly Archives: March 2008

Last night, I went to bed without brushing my teeth and to boot, I had a few swings of coffee and, count ’em, three Krispy Kreme donuts. Beforehand, I applied for a Blockbuster Video card (only because the local video store had way too much porn) which made me a slight bit more connected to the city.

It felt so good…so fresh to just be silent with only the sound of my mouth opening to ingest an overwhelming sense of pure sugary heaven-bliss. I woke up thinking that if this life is truly mine to hold, then I am the luckiest guy in the world. I thought of Maine and how she completely and utterly took me in so many years ago without hesitation or doubt. I thought of the new home in DC and how the city has invoked new feelings of growth, maturity, and change within me. I am also systematically growing into a new man that thinks way beyond the proverbial box and for once in my life, I am thinking like a champion should think.

I have been traveling back and forth on the weekends from Virginia Beach to DC over the course of the past weeks and I am loving the feeling I get when I arrive or depart from either place. With ample time to think, considering the drive is only about 3 hours, there exists a small connection to the patterns of traffic, people, the road to my own transition from the known into the unknown. Not to sound too philosophical but I think I’m growing.

So, a new day has come for me and I will embrace it gracefully.

I heard from my sponsor via email and found out that my job in DC will consist of me, two other guys, and the boss. Sounds kind of scary and especially since my sponsor will most likely only have a few weeks of turnover.

Yikes!

I think it’ll work out and only because in the most sense, it will have to. Those Damn Lemons!

So, there I was, minding my own business–well, let start from the beginning.

I spent all morning searching for a book. Last night, I spent at least an hour looking for the same book in a business section no bigger than a small closet.

No joy.

I called for help in an attempt that maybe his younger more energetic eyes will go right to the section where the book was.

No joy once again.

He laughed then said, “I don’t know man. It says we have it in the system. I’m guess we should update the system.”

Yeah, you think? So, the next day, I woke up early, walked down the street to the local Java House, planned out a day of searching for a book, getting a paper done on the book, then studying for a crazy network analysis test on Tuesday. I managed to scurry through studying admist the noise–which, I love by the way–and quickly ran home to plan for the book attack.

Literally, on the Metro, off the Metro, then on again. I spent time finding addresses, then realizing that there wasn’t a method to the madness so when the day almost concluded, I resorted to calling ahead, then reserving the book.

In between this, it’s raining. The streets are noisy and I’m hungry like a wolf in heat. I can stop though. Deadlines. Deadlines. Deadlines. The guy I called about the available parking spot for $200 bones a month hasn’t called back so immediately I feel like the date rule was in effect. You know, after the first date, don’t call back until 3 days later?

I called anyway.

He answered and told me good luck, he’s sure I’ll find a parking spot in the area. I laughed then hung up the phone.

Next, my buddy Russ and I chat about his recent car accident. I told him it was his fault because had he called me last night, or at least connected with me, he would have avoided the collision with the 40-year-old chick that probably felt like crying the moment she hit him. At any rate, I digress…I’m just happy he’s okay because I just put my suit into the cleaners and I would have a clue as what to wear to a funeral…especially during this time of year.

The next thing that happened clearly was a divine intervention of some sort because when I sat down at the coffee shop to produce an award-winning paper, I was joined by Ricky The Homeless Millionaire.

More on him later but my life changed 6 degrees in meeting him and I think I’ve gained 20 more years of life from talking with him.

Oh yes, the days of Andy Griffith and the gang are desperately coming to a close.

I cleared my desk at work, gave everyone I knew my new business card, and drove off the base. I didn’t even get a chance to tell everyone good-bye and I’m sure my backside will pay dearly for it one day. The gang at 20 West threw a surprise party for me and it blew my mind. I think at that point in time, the realization of my family at 20 West struck me. For moment or so, I wanted to collapse in pure pleasure in knowing that my life, with all my friends, has been the biggest joy in my life. The connection, the emotional understandings, and of course the love between my friends by far has given me so much that even I am in awe of how lucky I am.

For the last few hours, I wanted to spend time with Russ because other than Troy and our cool and collected life together, Russ is the reason I wake up and thank God for the true friendships I have. We actually did something that we’ve not done in a while: we walked through Portland. Most times, we are either at Panera Bread, Uno’s Pizzeria, the Movies, or Border’s Books and Music. Years ago when we first started hanging out, we used to walk the town so it was nice to revisit those early days and the emotions that went along with them. We went to Margarita’s and had a good talk about some of the things that make us friends. It was nice; it felt good, and I liked the fact that Russ is my best friend. I love the fact that we communicate like brothers and even if nothing is said between us, there is plenty going on. So, after dinner we walked to his car, did the hug good-bye, then I walked into my house and gathered my things.

So, yes, leaving Maine and the people who have influenced my life was probably the saddest hello I’ve ever had to endure.